OVER ONE LAKH AUTO RICKSHAWS IN AHMEDABAD OFF THE ROADS AS TWO-DAY STRIKE BEGINS OVER CNG PRICE HIKES

AHMEDABAD: Nearly 100,000 auto rickshaws in Ahmedabad are set to remain off the roads today and tomorrow following a two-day strike call to protest against soaring CNG fuel prices and delays in official fare hike notifications. The flash strike is expected to severely disrupt daily movement for lakhs of commuters across the city, particularly affecting students, officegoers, and travelers near railway stations, bus terminals, and medical facilities.

Mounting Driver Grievances and Fare Delays

Auto drivers report severe financial distress due to frequent CNG price increases by supplier Adani, including a sharp ₹4 per kg hike on August 1. Although a fare revision had been previously approved following a meeting with the Transport Commissioner, the state government has yet to issue an official notification. Without formal regulatory publication, drivers remain legally unable to charge revised fares to passengers, resulting in daily disputes and operational losses.

Core Demands: Auto unions are demanding immediate reductions in CNG prices and the prompt issuance of the government fare hike notification.
Union Support: The two-day strike has been spearheaded by the Pragati Rickshaw Chalak Ekta Union. However, the Ahmedabad Rickshaw Chalak Ekta Union has opted not to support the stoppage.

Union leaders warn that if the government and gas suppliers fail to roll back CNG costs or issue the pending fare notification, they will intensify their agitation in the coming days.